Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-15
WHO WAS THIS MAN?
A "DO5TOR" OF A GOOD FAMILY
BURIED As A PAUPER.
Story OF a Poor Stranger, Who was
Nevertheless Well Known in
Richmond.

thcmall he was q mystery. That he had
seen better days was evident; that he
was connected with people in high sta
ton was judged from what OCCASION
ally dropped from his lips; that he
was a man Of some education nearly all
those who had an opportunity Of form
ing an opinion say. 1t IS very probable
that so far as family and rela-
tivcs are concerned he would have
been included in the long list OF
mysterious disappearances but for the
fact that on yesterday Mr. J. G. Selle,
shoemaker, Of 704 Main street. went
10 the Chief Of Police and informed
him that Wilson some months ago left
box at his (Selle's) store. Major Poe
at once caused the box 10 be opened,
and in il were found n considerable
number Of letters from dcceased's wife,
several photographs, and the tools Of a
dentist. There are pictures OF his
father and mother also OF two other
ladies, and OF Hon. Henry Wilson, Of
Honosdale, Pa, Judge OF the Supreme
Court also the Photograph OF a baby,
upon which is written IN pencil "Bruce
Wilson" Another one is marked "R. y.
Wilson. NJ. d., y. Y. city" None Of the
letters from Mrs. Wilson are Of very re-
cent date. They cease in 1886. All of
them show affection. aud there are pas
sages which indicate that deceased was
OF a proud family that h. wasaddicted
TO liquor, and on the margin of one is
"don't tbihk Of coming back here IT
seemed from Them that Mrs. Wilson
was making a living as an insurance
canvasscr. Very probably she was his
second wife.
ONE or THE wIFE's LETTERS.
The following is one of the letters
BANGS, ONO, July 3, 1891.
DR.. j. Il. Wilson:
Dear Husband.-I dreamed of home
and you last night, and my dream was
80 sad / awoke crying. thought you
came in at the back door and said :
Carrie. Oh my God, / am so sick, and
am so glad you have come and /
feel very much afraid you are sick, but
hope not Dear, ] have written you
several letters, but got 40 reply 1t Is
TRANCE you don't get my letters. /
think some one IS lifting your mail. or
perhaps il is because / left of the
"Dr. and some one hy the name of j.
b. has got them. 1 am clear dis
cCuacod about it but ! viii try again.
Looping t. got n speedy answer. This
leaves me well, hut 1 can't say ! aa
lappv. for I am ever thinking OF You
ard home. wonder if we viii ever
have q home again of orr own. OH,
uE0f H0DDiHDs! There is nothing on
earth to compare with it, and it all
rests with YOU If we ever do or not
The children are all very kind to me,
bat as they have always depended on
ne 1t is hard now to cast myself ON
thcir bounty.
Well, tomorrow is Fourth of July,
and / may go to MIllwood. Paul and
Olaarc gong. There is to be speaking
ut the kanc's, and dancing and festival
20 night and, ] expect, % fi,ht or two.
Doctor, you viii be rejoiced to hear
that lhll tilom is married again, and
his wife is said to be very ricu aud as
Lomcly as a mud fence.
got letter from brother Docks
end they want ne to come as soon as l
can visit them. Docks health is some
what better.
Now / do wish you could send me
some money, for do need it SO bad,
and / know you sill If You have il,
you dear o,d hoy.
Ola aul ! have been visiting We
worc at Ike intirmmy taicc, aud were
at an iceccam patty You can bet We
Lad q gay time.
ann girl this summer along with
tie rest of them, but have not forgot
tonto kccpmy place and attendchurch
along with the rest.
Well. everybody is harvesting that
has il 90 do. and the wheat is splendid:
and the corn looks lovely, and there
viii hcplcuty of fruit, and as far as |
can lcmn everybody Is rejoicing III
plenty.
Wei. Docky, 7 don't know Of any
thing more to tell you, Sd ! viii close,
and If you get this and answer 1t | viii
write you a long one.
Now. hope You viii be good boy
and take good care Of yourself, and
don't forget your little wife, and try t.
cet Us p home, for the sooner you get
tnat tbc sooner We can be together.
aDd Oh, what rapturous JOY that will he.
So, with many good wishes and
kisses, ] remain yoar loving wife,
CARRIE.
y. B.-So1d me some postage
stamps.
Most OF the letters were addressed to
Wilson at Richmond.
DECEAsED's RESIDENCE HERE.
From investigations made by the
DSpGfch yesterday it appeared that
Wilson came here from Knox county,
Ohio, in 1888. bearing letters OF intro
Guction to different parties in tins city.
He made the acquaintance OF several
of the leading real estate agents and
told them that it was bis purpose to
buy farm in Virginia. lie purchased
Of r. b. Chailin d Co. the farm Of Mr..
Clay Drewry, at Chester, in Chester
field county. Shortly thereafter his
wife, Virginia G. Wilson, came on o.
Virginia and lived with him for several
months and returned TO Ohio.
Wilson not being able TO meet the
Payments, gave up his farm, came to
Richmond, and dknockedaround, follow
ing different occupations. In a few
months his means gave out.
HAEDsHlPs.
Last fall he underwent many hard
ships. Liie's struggle with him was
hard one ANY night in the rear Of
shoemaker's shop on Main street he
could be seen lying, the ground
for his bed, his coat his pillow.
and the heavens above his covering.
About this time rumor connected him
With the celebrated Cluveuus ease.
From his maudlin talk, made 50 from
excessive use Of stimulants, and his
suspicious going and coming, it was
thought that he either knew about or
had hand in the murder Of Miss Mad
ison, but upon investigation by the po-
lice 1t was soon ascertained to be false.
his LAST MOVE.
Early this summer he got little
money and moved to a boarding house
near the Old market, and on the night
of July 18th, under the influence OF
liquor, he retired to his room, and was
found the next morning lying in the
1 A "a 4